Bobby pin spreader and dispenser



June 13, 1950 A. H. CARLSON BOBBY PIN SPREADER AND DISPENSER Filed Nov. 18, 1948 IN VEN TOR. g oqa y H CARLSo/V ATTORA/[Y Patented June 13, 1950 UNITED, STATES PATENT .oFfFflcE BOBBY rm SPREADER AND' DISPENSER I Adolph Herbert Carlson, Denver, Colo. Application November 18, 1948, Serial No. 60,645'

a 8 Claims. 111-, a

This invention relates to improvements in bobby pin openers or spreaders and has for its primary object the provision of a simple and effective implement for effecting an initial separation of the side members of a bobby pin, which are normally closed, preparatory to its application to the hair.

Bobby pins are extensivelyused by hair dressers, in beauty shops and b women in their homes and since the side members are normally in engagement they must spread before they can be used.

It is quite diflicult to spread a bobby pin with one hand and to get it into a position in which it is maintained in open or spread" position by pressure between the thumb and forefinger.

I am aware that many patents have been granted for devices designed to facilitate the use of bobby pins among which may bementioned Patent 2,150,144 March 14, 1939.

The object of this invention is to produce an improved device for the purpose specified, which shall be of a simple construction and which can therefore be manufactured at a comparatively .small cost by means of simple dies.

A further object is to produce a device of the type specified which in addition to its pin spreading function, also serves as a container for storing pins when not in use.

Another object is to produce a device of the type specified that will hold a large number of pins in spread position so that the operator may pick them off one at a time, thereby obviating the necessity of directing attention to the spreading operation while otherwise occupied.

The above and any other objects that may appear as the description proceeds are attained by means of a construction and an arrangement of parts that will now be described in detail, and reference for this purpose will now be made to the accompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated and in which:

Figure 1 is a section taken on line ll, Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Figure 4 and shows a modification;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5-5, Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a cross section showing a slight modification of the form shown in Figures 1 and 2; and t" o Figure 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section of the devices shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5 to 7.

Referring now to the drawing, numeral [0 designates the spreader as a whole and which as shown consists of three parts, an upstanding tubular body I l, a cap or cover l2, and a suction cup l3.

The body II comprises a cylindrical portion [4 that terminates in a ledge [5 from which the upwardly and inwardly tapering spherical portion ll extends. The top of the spherical portion has an opening l8 and its lower edge where it joins ledge 15 is provided with a plurality of slits or .elongated openings 19 whose width must vbe slighthas one side' longer than theother as shown in Figure 8.

Bobby pins are so constructed that the two sides are in contact. When a pin is to be spread the operator slides it downwardly along the spherical portion l1 until the long side rests on ledge I5 and inserts the longer end into the openings I9 and pushes the pin inwardly until it reaches the full line position shown in Figure 5.

The curved portion I1 acts as a wedge and spreads the pin and by moving it to the position designated by Y it will be further spread. Due to the fact that the sides of the pins are wavy they will maintain position Y shown dotted in Figure 5. It is possible to spread a large number of pins and to maintain them in spread positions until used which adapts them very well for use in beauty parlors.

By means of the suction cup the device can be quite firmly attached to any smooth surface in a manner well known. The suction cup shown in Figures 1 and 2 is of a well known make and has a head 20 whose neck is positioned in the hole in base or cover l2.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 which show a slightly modified construction, body number I l it differs from II in Figure 1 in that the ledge I5 is absent and the stop function of this ledge is performed by the upper edges of cylindrical flange t2)! olfscover l2a, which edge has been designated The construction illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 can be made with simpler dies and by properly proportioning the diameter of the cylindrical portions Ma and 2| the parts will retain their position without the necessity of soldering or spot welding.

The construction shown in Figure 7 is the same as that shown in Figure l with the exception that the suction cup I3a is secured to cover |2a by means of a bolt 22.

The modifications shown in Figures 5' and 6 differs from that shown in Figures 1 and '7 in that the cover I2, I2a is omitted and cylindrical portion [4b is provided with an outturned edge 23 which is embraced by the-rim 24 of the suction cup [3b.

From the above it will be seen the pin spreader is of a simple construction. and of a pleasing design: that it can be used for holding a large number of pins in spread position and which also serves as a holder for pins not in use.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1.. A spreader and dispenser device for bobby pins comprising a hollow upstanding body havinga portion adjacent its upper end tapering upwardly and inwardly toward a vertical axis of thebody, a plurality of narrow horizontaliy disposed elongated openings at the base of the tapering portion, an outwardly extending ledge positioned at the height or the lower walls or" the: openings, and means closing the lower end offt'he body and detachably securing the device to: a smooth surface.

2'. A device accordance with claim I wherein the hollow body including said: portion and the ledge'is formed of a single piece of material.

3; A device inaccordance with claim I wherein the hollow body includes an outwardly projecting flange at its bottom engaging the means closing the lower end of the body and detachably securing the device to: a smooth surface.

4'. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hollow body is cylindrical.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 where- 4 in the ledge is formed from the edge of a cylindrical flange forming part of the means closing the lower end of the body.

6. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means closing the lower end of the body and detachably securing the device to a surface is a resilient rubber-like suction cup having a wall extending across the bottom of the body and secured at its periphery to the lower end of the body.

'7. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means closing the lower end of the body and detachably securing the device to a smooth surface comprises a cap member secured at its periphery to the cylindrical body and is provided with a resilient rubber-like suction cup secured thereto which cletachably secures the device to a smooth surface.

8. A spreader and dispenser for bobby pins, comprising in combination, a tubular body adapted. to be used in an upstanding position with its axis extending vertically, the "upper end of said body having a portion tapering upwardly'and' inwardly toward said" axis, said body having' a plurality of circumferentially spaced narrow openings lying substantially in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis of the body, means for guiding one leg of a bobby pin into the opening comprising an outwardly projecting ledge the upper surface'of which is substantially coincident with the edges forming the lower walls of the openi'ngs,v and means closing the lower end of the body and releasably attaching the device Thefollow-lng references areof record in the file of this patent:'

v V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,150444 Anderson Mar. 14, 1939 2,295,987

Boxer Sept. 15, 1942 

